Man misdiagnosed with coronavirus gets 2nd chance thanks to Mount Sinai surgeon - WABC-TV

NEW YORK CITY (WABC) -- A man nearly lost his life after being misdiagnosed with COVID only to find out he had another serious medical condition, and doctors did not give him much chance to live.

Still, he and his longtime fiancée never gave up hope.

Ron Trotta and Elly McGuire make a living teaching about the science of weather, but for a time, the couple couldn't predict their future, let alone the next day.

"I was intubated twice for a total of 28 days," Trotta said. "All I remember from that is a lot of bad dreams."

He was hospitalized the entire summer for what doctors initially thought was COVID-19.

"Someone who is in pulmonary failure needing to be intubated gets shipped off to the COVID ventilator ward," Dr. Paul Stelzer said.

MORE NEWS: Chris Harrison 'stepping aside' from role as 'Bachelor' host after defending controversial contestant

The cardiovascular surgeon didn't meet Trotta until late August, when McGuire had him transferred to Mount Sinai Hospital. Dr. Stelzer said COVID wasn't making Trotta sick, but instead it was a combination of a bacterial infection, a leaky heart valve, and brain bleeds that left him paralyzed on the left side.

"If I've got a solid chance of helping someone that I know will put the effort in, then I'll give them a chance," he said.

Dr. Stelzer successfully replaced Trotta's aortic valve, which was followed by weeks of rehab.

"Every day I'd go in and say, 'I miss you, your puppies miss you, and your piano misses you,'" McGuire said.

He finally headed home, and Sunday, on Valentine's Day, the couple celebrated the 30th anniversary of their engagement.

"I got a haircut," Trotta said, laughing.

It was something so mundane and yet a profound sign that Trotta is getting back into the swing of things.

"I knew there was no way I was letting go of this guy," McGuire said. "He is a miracle man."

The pair is holding fast -- and holding onto each other.

TRENDING: Snowy Owl spotted pouncing on prey in Central Park

MORE CORONAVIRUS COVID-19 COVERAGE

Positive COVID-19 cases by zip code - New York City

New York City COVID-19 Vaccine Tracker
New Jersey COVID-19 Vaccine Tracker
Find out if you are eligible and where you can go to get your vaccine
Do you have coronavirus symptoms?
Where to get tested in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut
WATCH: Eyewitness to a Pandemic
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on coronavirus

Submit a News Tip or Question

Copyright © 2021 WABC-TV. All Rights Reserved.

Let's block ads! (Why?)

Article From & Read More ( Man misdiagnosed with coronavirus gets 2nd chance thanks to Mount Sinai surgeon - WABC-TV )
https://ift.tt/3jUOnZR
World

Bagikan Berita Ini